High valuation for M&A Securities
TheEdge Mon, Oct 11, 2021 01:30pm - 6 hours ago

Insas Bhd’s plan for M&A Securities Sdn Bhd to assume the listing status of SYF Resources Bhd in a RM222 million reverse takeover exercise deal has received muted response from investors, judging from the two companies’ share price performance.

The deal values M&A Securities at a price-earnings ratio of 11.8 times and price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.2 times, based on its net earnings and net asset value for the financial year ended June 30, 2021 (FY2021).

The valuation of M&A Securities is even higher than that of the local banks, whose average P/B ratio is only 0.9 times. Currently, smaller banks such as Affin Bank Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd are trading at only 0.4 and 0.5 times respectively.

Also, the P/B ratios of other stockbroking firms such as Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd and Apex Equity Holdings Bhd come in lower at 0.9 and 0.6 times respectively.

Thus, the deal to inject M&A into SYF Resources — which will subsequently lead to a name change to M&A Capital — may look expensive.

Upon completion of the backdoor listing, Insas will hold 75.9% of SYF Resources as the disposal sum will be satisfied via the issuance of new shares in SYF Resources.

From the financial performance perspective, while M&A Securities saw a strong jump in its net profit — from RM9.22 million in FY2020 to RM18.81 million in FY2021 — using a three- or five-year average could have been a better benchmark. Note that in FY2019, its net profit was a mere RM6.62 million.

The exceptionally robust earnings were primarily boosted by active share trading among retail investors, driven by loan moratoriums as well as strong market interest in healthcare, technology and penny stocks. At the same time, M&A Securities also acted as principal advisers and successfully listed six companies on the ACE Market in FY21.

As retail participation eases, stockbroking firms may see more normalised earnings, and this will be reflected in the upcoming results.

Anyone familiar with BIMB-WA? Thinking of switching from Bstead. Not privatisation, but similar. Suppose to return 26sen, but proposal just amended to 26sen or 5 day VWAP, whichever is higher.

“the Warrants Consideration, which was originally proposed to be RM0.26 per Warrant via the First Announcement, has been revised such that the Warrants Consideration shall now be determined based on the five (5)-day VWAP of the Warrants immediately preceding the price-fixing date for the Warrants Consideration but shall in no event be lower than RM0.26 per Warrant.”

Downside capped at 26sen, while upside depends on markets forces? If investor appetite is 50sen during price fixing week, payout is 50sen? Movement of mother share and warrant exercise price are irrelevant. Sounds too good and ridiculous that investors get to set the price at their fancy and BIMB committed to pay.

Conspiracy theory... few months down the road, the whole privatisation is revived again. Insider made two rounds. This round at our expense